Spring Hill Vineyard

Chris and Karen London farm this certified “Fish Friendly” vineyard atop a windblown ridge at 600 feet elevation, seven miles from the ocean, on the southern edge of the Petaluma Gap, the lowest point in the Coast Range north of the Golden Gate. The gap is a conduit for cold air and fog, courtesy of the refrigerator-like Pacific Ocean. The silty-clay and sandy “Steinbeck” loam soils underlain with decomposing fossils provide great drainage and a healthy soil community supported by permanent natural cover crops such as Lupine, crimson clover, California poppy and rye.

Sustainable vineyard practices include composting, hoeing, mowing and providing happily inhabited owl boxes, keeping the vineyard clear of pesky rodents.

Spring Hill vineyard, 20 acres planted in three different blocks, is dedicated completely to Pinot Noir. The vineyard shares the large ranch (180 acres total) with lovingly tended herds of Wagyu and Scottish Highland cattle.

Talisman’s first vintage from Spring Hill Vineyard was 2008.